Month: June 2015

The Wayne G. Basler Library’s new search platform OneSearch is now available for use.

The new OneSearch platform simplifies accessing library materials.

Northeast State and East Tennessee State University have rolled out ExLibris Alma/Primo as the new integrated library system and discovery platform. It is a fast and easy way to search multiple sources at the same time.

Library patrons will notice these changes:

• New Name – TBR Libraries NorthEast OneSearch provides users a joint library discovery platform between Northeast State and East Tennessee State University.

• New Discovery Interface – Powered by ExLibris Primo, you will encounter a brand new, very responsive, search experience.

Users may search far beyond Basler Library’s physical materials. With Primo Central and OneSearch,, users may instantly search hundreds of millions of scholarly e-resources of global and regional importance. These include journal articles, e-books, reviews, legal documents and more that are harvested from primary and secondary publishers, multiple databases, and from open-access sources.

Patrons will still have access to the catalog under the Library Collections tab, which has been designed to deliver a local catalog experience. The Online Databases section on the Library website will allow users to select a specific individual database to search.

In addition, the system that allows users off-campus access to e-resources will still function the same, but will have new branding along with a new URL. OneSearch is browser compatible with smartphones and tablets.

Hear this masterful guitarist/songwriter when the Vicki Genfan Trio performs at Northeast State June 23 in the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts Theater, located on the College’s Blountville campus, next to Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The show beings at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to all.

With a mastery of the acoustic guitar that borders on pure alchemy, audiences are mesmerized by the waves of sound Genfan creates with just two hands and her voice. Using 29 alternate tunings and the percussive technique she calls ‘slap-tap’, Genfan’s pure, expressive vocals dig deep and stir the heart to be the perfect accompaniment on many of her songs.

Vicki Genfan

Genfan writes and beautifully sings her own brand of music and lyrics while putting her unmistakable imprint on familiar tunes like the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.” An evening with Genfan is far more than a concert; stories, warmth and humor are gift wrapped in an unforgettable evening of music that leaves the audience always wanting more.

She has been recognized among the world’s greatest guitarists and musicians at festivals such as The International Montreal Jazz Festival, Germany’s Open Strings Guitar Festival, Italy’s Soave Guitar Festival, as well as at venues and Performing Arts Centers across the United States and abroad. In 2005 she was one of the featured artists on La Guitara, the first compilation CD featuring female guitarists from around the globe, released by Vanguard Records.

With several additional ground-breaking recordings behind her, recent acquisitions of the 6-string banjo, 12-string and baritone guitars, high demand at clinics and music camps and an ongoing European presence, she continues to reach beyond musical borders and into new territory.

Steeped in great musicianship and the roots of rock and roll, The Model City Wrecking Crew brings their terrific rock music show to Northeast State this week.

The Crew performs June 18 in the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts, at the College’s Blountville campus, next to the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The band’s performance is part of the College’s “Hot Nights, Cool Music” summer concert series. The show is free and open to the public. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Crew features Lawson Garrett on vocals, Joe Ball on guitar and vocals, Jimmy Dale on keyboard, Dwight Brown on bass guitar, and Gary McKinney on drums. The Crew performs material from artists including Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, The Steve Miller Band, REM, and the Atlanta Rhythm Section among others.

The Model City Wrecking Crew

Garrett has performed with several groups since an early age. While living in New England in the 1980s, he joined the critically acclaimed band TAZ and played throughout the Northeast. He has played either as a solo act or leading bands of his own including Hard Monkeys, Peaces of Way, and The Hygienics. Ball has played folk and folk rock music from the early 1970s influenced by James Taylor, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Not long after he began moving from acoustic to electric guitar being influenced by Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Steve Miller, The Eagles among others.

Dale has played with bands from the early 80s including the popular local band, Uptown Country. His musical influences include Leon Russell, George Harrison, The Who, and Led Zeppelin. Brown grew up in Georgia when The Beatles influenced many budding musicians to start bands. McKinney began playing drums before his teenage years and has played in several bands since the early 70’s playing mostly rock and boogie. After playing rock music early on he expanded his musical horizon to include jazz and his love of the blues.

For more information about this or other events in the Hot Nights, Cool Music series, visit www.NortheastState.edu or contact 423.279.7669 or jpkelly@NortheastState.edu.

For the fall semester 2015, Northeast State Community College will issue Tennessee Promise and other new full-time, degree-seeking freshmen who meet established criteria iPad mini 2 devices.

As envisioned, the iNortheast initiative will enhance the Northeast State educational experience, which includes transforming the learning, technological, and social environment.

Integration of pilot iPad initiatives at Northeast State in various disciplines as well as other school, colleges, and universities across the nation has shown a variety of positive educational impacts including improvements in academic performance, increases in engagement and motivation, added instructional flexibility, and integrated focus on content quality and design.

In addition to similar gains in student performance and retention, the iNortheast initiative seeks an overall reduction of textbook costs, enhanced technology skills needed for the job market, and increased access to student support services.

In addition, the iPads will positively enhance teaching and delivery methods by engaging mobile device technology. In a recent survey, 86 percent of the Northeast State faculty expressed interest in integrating iPads into classroom instruction if devices were provided and training is implemented.

Scholarships Coordinator Josh Johnson (far left) & Dr. Janice Gilliam with three TN Promise students set to attend Northeast State this fall.

The Northeast State Foundation approved a one-time investment of about $340,000 from federal Title III funds to underwrite the project for 2015-16. Expansion of the iPad initiative will continue over the next two to three years until fully integrated.

The College will engage a national study to collect data on student performance, retention, enhanced technology skills, cost savings utilizing online book and resources, and paper usage reduction. Northeast State will also study the impact of iPads on student services and the challenges mobile devices present for a connected campus and the science of teaching.

College faculty teaching freshmen classes in 2015-16 will receive iPads and training beginning in July. Students, upon meeting financial aid and other requirements, will receive their iPads in August prior to the start of classes on Aug. 24. In addition, Northeast State is in the process of expanding Wi-Fi capabilities at its campuses to handle increased traffic.

iPads will be available for lease for students who do not qualify for the one-time, one-year grant/pilot this year. They may pay $100 for the lease of the device and the required protective cover each semester. Students enrolling at Northeast State in fall 2015, who are not part of the pilot/grant program and are interested in paying for a lease of an iPad, should e-mail ipad@northeaststate.edu by Aug. 1.

Vaneese Thomas embodies the rich heritage of sweet soul and rhythm and blues music of Memphis. At the same time she has combined all the influences of her background and experience – R&B, gospel, blues, and jazz – to cultivate a soul-stirring style that’s all her own.

Come enjoy this versatile, brilliant performer when the Vaneese Thomas Group kicks off Northeast State’s Hot Nights, Cool Music summer concert series on June 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wellmont Regional Center for Performing Arts on the College’s main campus next to Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The show is free and open the public.

Born in Memphis, Thomas is the daughter of Rufus Thomas, a legendary musician and entertainer who began in Vaudeville and spanned more than half a century in rhythm-and-blues recording and radio. Her older siblings are the hit recording artist “Memphis Queen” Carla Thomas and the highly respected keyboardist and producer, Marvell Thomas.

Vaneese Thomas

Her most recent release Blues for My Father hit #1 in September 2014 in France, #7 in the United State for 2014 and garnering two Blues Music Association award nominations for 2014. Her talents as a singer, songwriter, producer, and actor have made her a sought-after solo performer as well as a first-call vocalist for projects by other top-name artists. She has worked with the renowned recording producer Phil Ramone and sung with legendary performers including Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, and others.

Thomas has also produced recordings, created vocal arrangements, and written songs for Patti Austin, Freddie Jackson, Bob James, Larry Coryell, Melba Moore, and Diana Ross, who scored a Top Ten hit in the United Kingdom with “One Shining Moment.”

Geffen Records released Thomas’ first major recording in 1987. The self-titled album included the Top Ten R & B hit “Let’s Talk it Over.” In 1999 Thomas used her own Peaceful Waters Music label to release When My Back’s Against The Wall, a gospel crossover hailed by Billboard Magazine as “a small label masterpiece that begs for attention from savvy majors.” Following a few years later was A Woman’s Love, which combined R & B and silky, smooth-jazz vocals and Soul Sister Vol. One.

Thomas was the voice of Grace the Bass on the PBS series “Shining Time Station.” She has sung on numerous film soundtracks including Anastasia, Mighty Aphrodite and The First Wives Club. Her numerous TV appearances include “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and “NBC’s Today.”